Blow-molded container and closure, and method and apparatus for making same

ABSTRACT

A blow-molded plastic container and reinforced lid are simultaneously produced in a blow mold. A lid is reinforced by having a portion of the lid formed by blow molding techniques and another portion of the lid formed by compression molding techniques. The container and lid combination, a method for making the combination and apparatus for making the combination are provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a blow-molded plastic containerand a corresponding closure produced by a combination of blowmolding/compression molding techniques, and more particularly, thepresent invention relates to a method and apparatus for the simultaneousmanufacture of a blow molded container and a partially blow-molded,partially compression molded closure within the same blow mold.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various consumer products, such as food products, are packagedfor sale in blow-molded plastic containers sealed with a closure.Typically, the containers are mass produced in high speed blow-moldingmachines, and the closures, such as caps and lids, are manufacturedseparately from the containers in injection molds. The separatemanufacture of the containers and closures has a significantly impact onthe overall cost of mass producing such a package. Such increased costsinclude manufacturing, tooling and material costs.

[0003] Another disadvantage of manufacturing containers and closuresutilizing different molding processes is that such processes require theuse of different plastic materials which results in the containers beingmade of one type of plastic material and the closures being made ofanother. Such a package complicates and increases the cost of recyclingthe containers and closures and does not readily permit precise colormatching between the container and closure. Thus, the separatemanufacture of the container and closure also has a negative impact onthe aesthetic appearance of the package and its ability to be readilyrecycled.

[0004] To overcome these problems, the assignee of the presentapplication has previously developed and disclosed in InternationalApplication No. PCT/US97/03153, published as International PublicationNumber WO 97/32791 on Sep. 12, 1997, a method for compression molding aclosure in the flash material of an extrusion blow mold. To this end, aparison is extruded within a blow mold having a container body cavityand a lid cavity. The parison is blown in the container body cavity toform the container body and is compressed in the lid cavity to form acompression molded lid for the blow molded container. Thus, the lid isformed in the flash material which would otherwise be removed from thecontainer and recycled as scrap material. The entire package can bereadily recycled and can be a consistent color throughout.

[0005] Other examples of forming articles in the flash materialcompressed in blow molds include U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,827 issued toChlystun; U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,558 issued to Cargile; U.S. Pat. No.3,359,602 issued to Bailey; U.S. Pat. No. 3,369,690 issued to Hayes;U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,785 issued to Dike; U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,780 toRobinson; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,199 issued to Uhlig. The Chlystunpatent discloses compression molding an integral pull tab; the Cargilepatent discloses compression molding a breakaway measuring cup; and theBailey, Hayes, Dike, Robinson and Uhlig patents disclose compressionmolding an integral handle.

[0006] Other U.S. patents disclose the formation of blown closureswithin the container body cavity of a blow mold. To this end, thecontainer body and closure are blown as a single intermediate bodywithin a blow mold cavity. The blown intermediate article is thensevered and trimmed to form a separate container body and closure. Seefor instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,553,732 and 5,762,859 issued to Kani;U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,044,923 and 5,213,753 issued to Przytulla; U.S. Pat.No. 3,409,710 issued to Klygisis; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,338 issued toConn. Also see U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,569 issued to Rathman et al.; U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,382,058 and 4,453,911 issued to Watson et al.; and U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,486,164 and 4,486,379 issued to Wilkie et al. for examples ofblow molded tool box-shaped containers, or cases, having opposedblow-molded tub-shaped portions integrally connected by a compressionmolded hinge.

[0007] In addition to the need for a cost-effective, readily recyclableand aesthetic container and closure combination and a method andapparatus for making same, there is also a specific need for asubstantially tub-shaped container having an upper rim and a novelclosure, or lid, for sealing the container. Such a container may be usedas a multi-purpose package, for instance, in club or warehouse storesfor the sale of powders such as drink powders, candy or any otherproduct capable of being sold in tub-shaped containers. The upper rim ofsuch a container provides a wide opening into the container and issealed with a relatively large flat lid which spans the opening andengages the rim. Typically, the central most portion of such a lid willwarp and otherwise provide an unaesthetic appearance.

[0008] Although the above referenced container and closure combinationsand methods and apparatus for the manufacture thereof may functionsatisfactorily for their intended purposes, there is a need for a novelmethod and apparatus for the cost-effective manufacture of a containerand closure combination. In addition, there is also a specific need fora novel container and closure combination which includes a tub-shapedblow molded container and a reinforced lid. The lid should have improvedrigidity and definition to prevent warpage and should provide anaesthetically pleasing package. The container and lid should be capableof efficient and simultaneous manufacture in the same blow mold, shouldbe readily recyclable, and should have substantially flawless colormatching.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] With the foregoing in mind, a primary object of the presentinvention is to provide a novel method for simultaneously forming aplastic container and associated closure from a single extruded parisonin the same blow mold utilizing a combination of blow molding andcompression molding techniques.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to a provide aclosure, or lid, with increased rigidity and definition so that the lidcan be utilized in connection with a wide-mouth tub-shaped containerwithout undergoing warpage and can provide an aesthetically pleasingappearance.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a novelmethod and apparatus for manufacturing a reinforced closure, or lid, ina blow mold.

[0012] A still further object of the present invention is to provideapparatus which enables the formation of various indentations andundercuts to be formed in a blown container and/or closure and whichenables ready ejection of the container and a reinforced closure fromthe mold.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] More specifically, the present invention provides a method ofmanufacturing a plastic container and associated closure in which aparison is extruded within an open set of mold blocks. The mold blocks,when closed, cooperate to form a container forming cavity and a separateclosure forming cavity through which the parison extends. The parisonlocated in the container forming cavity is blown to form a containerbody while a portion of the parison located in the closure formingcavity is separately blown to form at least a part of a closure. Aremaining portion of the parison located in the closure forming cavityis compression molded to form a remaining part of the closure whichextends integrally from the blow molded part of the closure. Preferably,blow molding of the container body, blow molding of the part of theclosure, and compression molding of the remaining part of the closureoccur substantially simultaneously. The present invention also providesa container and closure combination made by the above described process.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a novelapparatus for manufacturing a container and associated closure isprovided. The apparatus includes a set of mold blocks moveable from anopen position to a closed position to capture an extruded parisontherein and moveable from the closed position to the open position forreleasing a container body and closure therefrom. The mold blocks, whenclosed, cooperate to provide a blow molded container forming cavity anda separate closure forming cavity which includes a blow-molding sectionand a compression molding section. A first blow pin is extendable intothe container forming cavity for forming a blow-molded container bodytherein, and a second blow pin is extendable into the blow moldingsection of the closure forming cavity to blow a portion of the closure.The compression molding section forms a remaining integral compressionmolded portion of the closure. Preferably, the mold blocks and first andsecond blow pins are operable to substantially simultaneously form theblow molded container body and partially blow molded, partiallycompression molded closure.

[0015] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a novelcontainer and reinforced lid combination is provided. The container hasan extrusion blow molded body with an upper rim. The lid has a hollowcentral blow molded portion and a peripheral compression molded portionextending outwardly and integrally from the hollow central blow moldedportion. The peripheral compression molded portion of the lid isengageable with the upper rim of the container body to secure the lid tothe container, and the hollow central blow molded portion of the lidreinforces the lid structure to increase rigidity and definition andprevent warpage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention should become apparent from the following descriptionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and lid embodying thepresent invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a blow mold and containerformed therein according to the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the blow mold, container andlid of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container and lidof FIG. 1 illustrating the pivoting connection between the container andlid; and

[0021]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connection illustrated inFIG. 4 taken along line 5-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED CONTAINER/CLOSURE

[0022] One aspect of the present invention is a preferred container andclosure combination 10 as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. Thecombination is preferably made by the method and apparatus of thepresent invention as will be discussed. Before turning to a detaileddescription of the method and apparatus of the present invention, adiscussion of the structure of the preferred container/closure 10 isprovided.

[0023] The combination 10 includes a plastic extrusion blow-moldedcontainer body 12 provided in a substantially tub-shaped configuration.As illustrated, the body 12 is substantially rectangular having a base14 and an integral upstanding sidewall 16 including front, rear, rightand left sidewall sections, 18, 20, 22 and 24, respectively. Thecontainer body 12 has a large top opening 26 which is defined by a rim28 formed by the upper terminating edge of the sidewall 16. Such atub-shaped container can be utilized to package various productsincluding scoop-able food products provided in powder form, such as,chocolate drink mixes. A sheet-like tamper-indication covering (notshown), such as wax paper, foil, or the like, can be sealed to the rim28 after initial filling of the container body 12 to initially seal theopening 26, maintain the contents in a sterile environment, and provideindication of tampering. Although a specific container bodyconfiguration has been described and illustrated, various othercontainer body structures can be utilized in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0024] A lid 30 having a novel reinforced structure, as best illustratedin FIG. 4, is utilized as a closure or cap for the container body 12.The lid 30 is reinforced to resist warpage which would otherwise occurin a typical flat lid applied to and spanning across the relativelylarge sized opening 26 of the container body 12. The novel structure oflid 30 includes a hollow central section 32 and a substantially solidperipheral section 34 extending integrally and radially outward from thehollow central section 32. The hollow central section 32 is formed byblow molding a portion of an extruded parison in a blow mold, preferablythe same blow mold utilized to form the blown container body 12. Thesolid peripheral section 34 is formed by compression molding a portionof the extruded parison in the blow mold. Thus, as will be discussed indetail, the same extruded parison can be utilized in the same blow moldto form the container body 12 and lid 30.

[0025] The compression molded peripheral section 34 of lid 30 provides aperipheral lip 36 utilized to engage the rim 28 of the container body12. The blow-molded hollow central section 32 of the lid 30 reinforcesthe lid 30, prevents the lid 30 from warping, and provides anaesthetically pleasing appearance. In addition, a brand name, logo, orthe like (not shown) can be blown into the upward facing side 38 of thelid to increase its aesthetic appeal. The lid 30 is made from the samematerial as the container body 12, and therefore, is readily recyclablewith the container body 12 and is substantially the exact same color asthe container body 12.

[0026] The preferred embodiment, as illustrated, permits the lid 30 topivot relative to the container body 12 between open and closedpositions. To this end, a compression molded hinge connection flap 40 isformed in the compression molded peripheral section 34 of the lid 30.The hinge connection flap 40 extends from the lip 36 and has a pair ofoppositely extending lateral projections 42 as best illustrated in FIG.5. The rear sidewall section 20 of the container body 12 is formed withan inwardly extending recess 44 for receiving the hinge connection flap40. A pair of depressions 46 are formed in the sidewall sections 48 ofthe recess 44 and extend substantially parallel to the rear sidewallsection 20 of the container body 12. To install the lid 30 on thecontainer body 12, the projections 42 of the hinge connection flap 40are inserted into the depressions 46 formed in the recess 44 of thecontainer sidewall 16. The projections 42 are captured within thedepressions 46 and permit the lid 30 to pivot thereabout.

[0027] The lid 30 of the preferred embodiment is adapted to be snap fitto the rim 28 of the container body 12. To this end, preferably the rim28 has an outwardly extending peripheral bead 50 which frictionallyengages a set of locking beads 52 extending inwardly from the lip 36 ofthe lid 30 to maintain the lid 30 in a closed condition sealing the topopening 26 of the container body 12. See FIG. 4. To enable ready openingof the lid 30, the front sidewall section 18 of the container body 12 isprovided with a recess 54 adjacent the rim 28 to permit a person'sfinger to engage beneath the lip 36 of the lid 30 and to lift upwardlyon the lid 30 removing the lid 30 from the rim 28 of the container body12.

[0028] By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the containerbody 12 can be about 6.5 inches in height from the base 14 to the rim28, about 8.5 inches in length from the right to the left sidewallsection, 22 and 24, and about five inches in width from the front to therear sidewall section, 18 and 20. The opening 26 can be about 5 by 8.5inches, and the container body 12 can contain approximately 100 ouncesof a product. The lid 30 can be about 5 by 8.5 inches, and thedimensions of the hollow central section 32 can be about 3.5 by 6.5inches with a maximum thickness of about a half inch. The combination 10can be made of any thermoplastic material, for example, HDPE orPolypropylene. The above referenced material and dimensions are providedas examples only, and any desired materials and dimensions can beutilized in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] Detailed Description of the Preferred Method

[0030] As previously stated, the above referenced container and closurecombination 10 is formed primarily by extrusion blow molding techniquesand partly by compression molding techniques. As well known in the artof extrusion blow molding, a pair of mold halves are initiallypositioned in an open position to receive an extruded tube of moltenplastic, or parison, and are then closed about the parison so that theparison can be blown within the cavity formed by the blow mold.Typically, the sections of the parison above and below the blown bodyform so called flash material which is trimmed from the blown body andrecycled as scrap material.

[0031] According to the present invention, a portion 56 of what would bethe flash material is utilized to form a closure 30 for the containerbody 12. Thus, the container body 12 and closure 30 are simultaneouslyformed in the same mold 58 from the same parison. This provides apackage which is made of a common material that can be readily recycledand that is a uniform color.

[0032] One novel aspect of the present invention is that the closure 30is formed by a combination of blow molding and compression moldingtechniques. To this end, a portion of the parison is blown to form ahollow part 32 of the closure 30 and another portion of the parison iscompressed to form a substantially solid part 34 of the closure 30.Thus, the closure 30 includes a hollow section 32 to rigidify theclosure and prevent warpage, and a solid section 34 to provide a meansof cooperatively engaging the rim 28 of the container body 12.

[0033] The method according to the present invention utilizes a pair ofmold halves 58 a and 58 b which cooperate to provide a container bodyforming cavity 60 and a closure forming cavity 62 best illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. These cavities, 60 and 62, are spaced apart in the mold58 and receive different sections of the same parison. For example, theparison is positioned in the mold 58 such that a proximal end of theparison is used to form the container body 12 and a distal end of theparison is used to form the closure 30. Thus, as the blown andcompressed parison is removed from the mold 58, the closure 30 is formedin a tail flash area 64 which extends from the base 14 of the blowncontainer body 12. See FIG. 3.

[0034] The closure forming cavity 62 includes a central blow moldingcavity 66 and a peripheral compression molding cavity 68. Thus, aportion of the parison is blown as a surrounding portion of the parisonis compressed. Therefore, the method of the present invention includesthe primary steps of: (i) capturing an extruded parison within a pair ofmold blocks, 58 a and 58 b; (ii) blow molding a portion of the parisonin a container forming cavity 60 to form a blow molded container body12; (iii) separately blow molding another portion of the parison in aclosure forming cavity 62; and (iv) compression molding a portion of theparison in the closure forming cavity 62 to produce a partially blowmolded, partially compression molded closure 30 for the container body12. Preferably, all of the above stated method steps are accomplishedsubstantially simultaneously in high speed automated equipment.

[0035] According to the preferred method, various undercuts can beformed in the container body, such as, the depressions 46 formed in therecess 44 in the container body 12 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Typically,a blow mold cannot have structure which prevents a blow molded body tobe released from the mold cavity. For instance, the formation of thedepressions 46 in the container body 12 requires mold structure thatextends laterally into the cavity 60 to from the depressions 46 and thatwould block the removal of the container body 12 form the mold since thecontainer body 12 is blown behind and around the structure. However, thepresent invention overcomes this problem by utilizing a pair ofextendable/retractable pins 70 which extend as the parison is blown andretract slightly before the blown container body 12 is released from themold 58. Thus, the pins 70 form the depressions 46 in the container body12 and are retractable to enable ready release of the container body 12from the mold 58. Preferably, the pins 70 are extended by cylinders (notshown) which are precisely controlled to extend and retract atpredetermined times during the blow molding cycle.

[0036] The method also includes a novel manner of releasing, orejecting, the container body 12, closure 30, and flash 64 from the mold58. The lid 30 tends to stick to the mold 58 since the lid 30 isrelatively large and includes blow molded and compression moldedportions, 32 and 34. The present invention utilizes an ejector plate 72to force the lid 30 out of the mold 58. As best illustrated in FIG. 2,the ejector plate 72 is located in mold half 58 a adjacent the closureforming cavity 62 and is extended into the closure forming cavity 62after the mold blocks 58 a and 58 b open to eject the closure 30 fromthe mold 58 thereby releasing the closure 30 with the container body 12and adjacent flash material 64. Preferably, the ejector plate 72includes a pair of cylinders 72 a and 72 b which are extended atprecisely controlled predetermined times during the blow molding cycle.

[0037] A further step in the preferred method is to trim the scrapmaterial 74 from the container body 12 and lid 30. To this end, the tailflash 64 is cut from the base 14 of the container 12 and trimmed awayfrom the lid 30 formed in the tail flash 64. Preferably as illustratedin FIG. 3, the container body is blown with a false dome 76 which mustalso be severed from the container body 12. The blown false dome 76includes a groove 78 used by trimming equipment to spin the containerbody 12 and false dome 76 relative to a knife in the trimmer. Thus, theknife severs the false dome 76 from the container body 12 and providesthe container body 12 with a smooth inwardly extending lip 80 to whichwax paper, or the like, can be bonded to initially seal the containerbody 12 after filling.

[0038] A final step includes assembling the lid 30 to the container body12 after they have been completely separated during trimming. Theprojections 42 on the hinge connection flap 40 of the lid 30 areinserted into the depressions 46 formed in the container body 12 toconnect the lid 30 to the container body 12. The lid 30 is pivotedrelative to the container body 12 and snap fit onto the rim 28.

[0039] Detailed Description of the Preferred Apparatus

[0040] The primary component of the apparatus according to the presentinvention utilized to manufacture the container and closure combinationof the present invention are the mold blocks 58 a and 58 b as previouslydiscussed. The multi-part mold 58 must be capable of opening and closingrelative to an extruded parison to capture the parison therein. Inaddition, the mold 58 must define a container body forming cavity 60 anda separate closure forming cavity 62 a spaced distance from thecontainer body forming cavity 60.

[0041] As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the container body forming cavity60 defines the shape of the container body 12 and includes a false blowdome cavity area 82. The formation of a false dome 76 enables ready spintrimming of scrap material from the top of the container body 12 so thata smooth inwardly extending lip 80 can be provided on the rim 28 of thetrimmed container body 12. The walls of the container body formingcavity 60 also include extendable/retractable pins 70 which enableundercuts to be formed in the container body 12 in a manner permittingready release of the container body 12 from the mold 58. The extensionand retraction of the pins 70 are precisely controlled and linked to theblow molding cycle.

[0042] As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the closure forming portion 62includes a blow molding area 66 and a compression molding area 68. Theblow molding area 66 is centrally located and is surrounded by thecompression molding area 68. Thus, a central portion 32 of the lid 30 isformed by blow molding, and a peripheral portion 34 of the lid 30 isformed by compression molding. Preferably, the compression molding area68 is utilized to form a hinge connection flap 40 utilized to pivotallyconnect the lid 30 to the container body 12. The closure forming cavity62 also includes an ejector plate 72 which extends into the cavity 62 tocause the forced release of the lid 30 from the mold 58. The ejectorplate 72 is set to operate at a precise predetermined time in the blowmolding cycle.

[0043] The apparatus also includes a pair of blow pins which areinserted into the parison to inflate the parison. A first blow pin (notshown) is utilized to inflate the container body 12 and extends into apart of the parison which forms the blown false dome 76. A second blowpin 84 is utilized to inflate the blow molded portion 32 of the closure30. Preferably, the blow pin 84 is inserted through the cavity walladjacent the location of the ejector plate 72. In addition, the aperture86 formed in the lid 30 by the blow pin 84 is preferably formed on theunderside 88 of the lid 30. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a blowcylinder 90 is located between the pair of ejector plate cylinders, 72 aand 72 b, which also extend toward the underside 88 of the lid 30.

[0044] The apparatus of the present invention also includes a timingmechanism (not shown) to precisely control the operation of the mold andblow pins. To this end, the blow pins are controlled to simultaneouslyblow the lid 30 and container body 12. In addition, the retractable pins70 utilized to form the undercuts in the container body 12 are extendedduring inflation of the container body 12. As the mold 58 opens torelease the container body 12 and lid 30, the pins 70 are retracted andthe ejector plate 72 is extended into the lid forming cavity 62.

[0045] Thus, the described container and closure combination, method ofmaking the combination, and apparatus for making the combination providea unique and cost-effective package which can be entirely manufacture ina blow mold utilizing a single extruded parison. Preferably, the blowmolded container has a tub-shape, and the lid has a novel reinforcedstructure which resists warpage. The lid can be provided such that itpivots relative to the container body, and the container body can beformed with various undercut areas. In addition, the container body andlid are readily released from the mold utilizing an ejector plate.

[0046] While a preferred container and closure combination, method ofmaking the combination, and apparatus for making the combination havebeen described in detail, various modifications, alterations, andchanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A method of manufacturing a plastic container and associated closure,comprising the steps of: extruding a parison within an open set of moldblocks which, when closed, cooperate to form a container forming cavityand a separate closure forming cavity; closing said mold blocks on saidparison such that said parison extends through said container formingcavity and said closure forming cavity of said mold blocks; blow-moldingsaid parison located in said container forming cavity to form acontainer body; separately blow molding a portion of said parisonlocated in said closure forming cavity to form at least a part of aclosure; and compression molding a remaining portion of said parisonlocated in said closure forming cavity to form a remaining part of saidclosure integral with said blow molded part of said closure.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said blow molding of said container body,said blow molding of said part of said closure, and said compressionmolding of said remaining part of said closure occur substantiallysimultaneously.
 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said set ofmold blocks are a pair of mold halves and wherein said container formingcavity and said closure forming cavity formed by said mold halves arespaced apart.
 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said closureforming cavity has a central blow molding cavity surrounded by aperipheral compression molding cavity.
 5. A method according to claim 3,further comprising a step, after said blow molding and compressionmolding steps, of trimming flash material extending above and below saidcontainer body and extending peripherally about said closure such thatsaid container body and closure are separate from one another.
 6. Amethod according to claim 5, wherein said compression molding step formsa hinge connection flap extending integrally from said closure.
 7. Amethod according to claim 6, further comprising the step, after saidtrimming step, of securing said hinge connection flap to said containerbody to permit said closure to pivot between open and closed positionsrelative to said container body.
 8. A method according to claim 7,further comprising the step of forming indentations in said containerbody during said blow molding step of said container body, saidindentations being utilized for securing said hinge connection flap ofsaid closure to said container body.
 9. A method according to claim 8,further comprising the step of extending pins during said blow moldingstep of said container body to form said indentations and retractingsaid pins from said indentations after said blow molding step to permitsaid container body to be released from said mold blocks.
 10. A methodaccording to claim 2, further comprising the step of ejecting saidclosure from said mold blocks by extending an ejector plate into saidclosure forming cavity to force said closure out of said mold blocks.11. Apparatus for manufacturing a container and associated closure,comprising: a set of mold blocks moveable from an open position to aclosed position to capture an extruded parison therein, and moveablefrom said closed position to said open position for releasing acontainer body and closure therefrom; said mold blocks, when closed,cooperating to form a blow molded container forming cavity and aseparate closure forming cavity which includes a blow-molding sectionand a compression molding section; a first blow pin extendable into saidcontainer forming cavity for forming a blow-molded container bodytherein; and a second blow pin extending into said blow molding sectionof said closure forming cavity for forming a blow molded portion of theclosure, said compression molding section forming a remaining integralcompression molded portion of the closure.
 12. Apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein said mold blocks and first and second blow pins areoperable to substantially simultaneously form the blow molded containerbody and partially blow molded, partially compression molded closure.13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein one of said mold blocksincludes an ejector plate which is adjacent said closure forming cavityand which is movable by extendable cylinders for causing the formedclosure to be released from said mold blocks.
 14. Apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein one of said mold blocks includes at least oneextendable pin adjacent said container forming cavity, said pin beingextendable into said container forming portion for forming undercuts inthe blow molded container body and being retractable so that the blowmolded container body is releasable from the mold blocks.
 15. Acombination container and closure prepared by a process comprising thesteps of: extruding a parison within an open set of mold blocks which,when closed, cooperate to form a container forming cavity and a separateclosure forming cavity; closing said mold blocks on said parison suchthat said parison extends through said container forming cavity and saidclosure forming cavity of said mold blocks; blow-molding said parisonlocated in said container forming cavity to form a container body;separately blow molding a portion of said parison located in saidclosure forming cavity to form at least a part of a closure; andcompression molding a portion of said parison located in said closureforming cavity to form a remaining part of said closure integral withsaid blow molded part of said closure; wherein said blow molding of saidcontainer body, said blow molding of said part of said closure, and saidcompression molding of said remaining part of said closure occursubstantially simultaneously.
 16. A combination container and lid, saidcontainer having an extrusion blow molded body with an upper rim, andsaid lid comprising: a hollow central blow molded portion; and aperipheral compression molded portion extending outwardly and integrallyfrom said hollow central blow molded portion of said lid; saidperipheral compression molded portion of said lid being engageable withsaid upper rim to secure said lid to said container and said hollowcentral blow molded portion of said lid reinforcing said lid to increaserigidity and definition and prevent warpage.
 17. A combination containerand lid according to claim 16, wherein said peripheral compressionmolded portion of said lid includes a hinge connection flap which isattachable to said container body to permit said lid to pivot betweenopen and closed positions relative to said upper rim of said container.18. A combination container and lid according to claim 17, wherein saidextrusion blow molded container body has a recess adjacent said upperrim for receiving said hinge connection flap.
 19. A combinationcontainer and lid according to claim 16, wherein said container body issubstantially rectangular and said lid snap engages to said containerbody about said upper rim to seal said container body.